Newz Desk, Durgapur: A second-year MBBS student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped near IQ City Medical College in Durgapur, West Bengal, on Friday night. The 23-year-old, from Jaleswar in Odisha, had gone out with a male friend when a group of men accosted them around 8 pm on October 10. The men allegedly dragged her into nearby bushes, assaulted, and raped her.
Speaking to journalists, the survivor’s father said, “One of her classmates took her out on the pretext of getting something to eat. But when two or three other men arrived, he abandoned her and fled. They raped her… This incident happened between 8 and 9 pm. The hostel was far away, and she had come here to eat. The security arrangements are not sufficient… Such a serious incident occurred, but no action has been taken.”
In his police complaint, he said his daughter was “misled and taken to a vacant place under false pretexts.” He also alleged that the attackers snatched her mobile phone and Rs 5,000.
“Subsequently, my daughter was found admitted to a hospital in Durgapur in a critical condition, and the attending doctor have stated that her condition is serious and under intensive care,” the victim’s father said in his complaint filed with the NTS Police Station.
The survivor’s statement has been recorded, and investigation is underway. No arrests have been made so far.
In a statement on X, the West Bengal Police said, “We are deeply saddened by the sexual assault on a medical student from Odisha in Durgapur, and wish to assure all that the culprits shall not go unpunished… We urge everyone to refrain from sharing any unverified information in this regard. West Bengal Police remains committed to its zero tolerance policy in respect of offences against women.”
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case. Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the West Bengal DGP, seeking the immediate arrest of all accused and a transparent probe. NCW member Dr Archana Majumdar, who visited the survivor and the crime scene today, questioned the security arrangements. “Running a hospital with poor safety arrangements is also a crime. For this unfortunate incident, the local administration and all sections of society share responsibility in some way,” she told reporters.
Meanwhile a political storm has erupted over the incident, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of lawlessness in Durgapur and staging protests across police stations, demanding swift arrest of the culprits.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi condemned the assault, posting on X, “…I strongly urge the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to take exemplary action against the accused as per the law… I have instructed senior officials to contact the West Bengal government and take necessary steps. All possible assistance will be provided to the victim’s family on behalf of the Odisha government.”
